You can also slice cukes about 1/4 to 1/2" thick, dip in a light batter and pan fry. Mature zucchinis have a tough skin, but you can slice them in half lengthwise, remove the pith and seeds and then stuff them with a meat/ veggie mix and bake. Larger zukes are also great sliced and used instead of the noodles to make a zucchini lasagna. Hmm , never tried it , but since battered, deep zucchini strips are good with dips, I think cukes done the same way would be good. Maybe something like a ranch dressing dip with added dill weed.With lots of cukes available , try thinking of a few things outside the box as far as culinary adventures go .

Marc,I hesitate to give you any of my recipes since I am still disgruntled from your cooking comments....

Anyway, I am more mature than you, so I'll give you a few cooking tips.

I slice the zucchini into thick slices on a slant or you can cut them lengthwise, as Brenda said. Salt and pepper it and add a dash of Italian dressing (I use the Kraft Golden Italian). Grill them on both sides until done (not overly so), then brush with a bit of bbq sauce. I use Kraft Chicken & Rib - it is sweeter than the other sauces, just to warn you.

My zucchini soup is quite basic: saute finely chopped onion and grated carrot in 1/4 cup of butter. When it has softened, add grated zucchini (about 2-3 small ones), stir that around...add some flour (about 1/4-1/3 cup), stir that around - make sure it doesn't stick to bottom of pot. Add chicken stock or water, salt and pepper to taste, dried thyme and a few shakes of dry chicken bouillon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or so. You can add some milk or cream near the end of cooking for a richer soup. I add chopped parsley at the end too, much to my family's chagrin..."there's something grassy in this, Donna!!"

Please, don't be disgruntled with me. I am only playing. I really do like you. Thus the reason why I toy with you. You are dear to me.(The last babe that used the word, disgruntled, tried to take me for all I worth. It failed. Then she tried blackmail. It failed. eh, so I sold everything for 1$ to her best friend, who is no longer her best friend.)

Mature is relative. You bring a smile to my face. Be less mature and let's meet at bobs diner and motel. It's more fun than hauling manure to the garden.(Anyone every tell you that you have x-years to live? And if they did, would your panties be bunched over an internet forum?)

DonnaZn2SK wrote::evil:

OMG the evil face! eeek.(Sorry to be immature, but that face turns me on. Got a whip? MmMmMm)

I will try your BBQ thing. You and Brenda (Brenda of Bay of Quinte, Arrrr & avast mate) make it sound good. Checked the zukes just about an hour ago. I see nothing yet. But damn, these plants are huge. 4 plants take up 7 feet by 3 feet.(Huge, babe, huge. At least that's what the girls believe on acid)

TY for your recipe, but I am not a super-chef. How much water? How much should this thing make (in litres)? I need direction(I swear, that is mega-volume. Don't believe what your brain is telling you. Ooops, I put it in the wrong pot. Sorry.)

Edit:*hic*

The internet is a very, very, serious entity created solely for commercial gains.Canadian Gardening made me a hardcore separatist

As soon as the zukes come out. This will be the first thing I try. I want to put myself in your kids shoes and feel their pain. So you grate your zuke? Is that right?

Don't be cross with me, honey. I'm pretty sure that there must have been some sort of pagan zucchini dance lost in time. Let's meet up and and revive the ritual. Ummm, and no. I don't want to be the next future future "bog man". Thanks.

The internet is a very, very, serious entity created solely for commercial gains.Canadian Gardening made me a hardcore separatist

(Quantities could be adjusted easily, e.g. 5, 5 & 5) and up the other ingredients a bit.

Peel cukes, halve lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut into chunks. In a blender cover and puree cucumbers and broth in small batches. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in sour cream or yoghurt, vinegar, and garlic, season to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Stir before serving.

Yes, Marc, Food banks across the country welcome fresh fruit and veggie donations. There is even a program called something like "plant a row - grow a row" sponsored by seed companies to encourage folks to grow an extra row for the poor.

Check out http://www.growarow.org for more information. I bet if you call a local food bank they will gladly help you out!